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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:47 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Friday, January 15

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Flames host the Predators, the Hawks get a visit from the Suns, and the Lakers meet the Clippers in an all-L.A. contest.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The NBA offers up 13 games on a busy Friday night, including the Clippers at the Lakers. The Clippers were beaten 108-94 on the road by New Orleans on Wednesday night, with Baron Davis scoring 19 points to go along with six assists in that losing cause. Marcus Camby grabbed 20 boards. The Lakers are coming off a 100-95 road win over the Mavericks in their last game on Wednesday. Andrew Bynum led the way with 22 points and 11 boards for the Lakers that day.

Also on the NBA hardwood on Friday: San Antonio at Charlotte, Sacramento at Philadelphia, Minnesota at Memphis, Toronto at New York, Indiana at New Jersey, New Orleans at Detroit, Washington at Chicago, Miami at Houston, Oklahoma City at Dallas, Milwaukee at Golden State, Orlando at Portland, and Phoenix at Atlanta. The Suns will be looking to bounce back from their 122-114 loss in Indiana on Wednesday night; Steve Nash had 20 points in that matchup.

As well, Northern Colorado (15-3 SU, 10-5 ATS) will be looking to run their winning streak to seven games when they take on Portland State (7-9 SU, 5-8-1 ATS) in one of the few games on the college basketball schedule for Friday. The profitable Bears are coming off a 78-66 win over Idaho State on Saturday, as Chris Kaba poured in 17 points. The Vikings fell 90-58 to Montana last time out.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, there are just two games on the National Hockey League's schedule for Friday, with Toronto at Washington and Nashville at Calgary. The Predators head into Friday's matchup on a two-game winning streak, having knocked off the Oilers 5-3 in Edmonton on Tuesday night. Ryan Jones had a goal and two assists for the Preds in that game. Nashville and Calgary met in Tennessee last Tuesday night, with Miikka Kiprusoff making 27 saves in that 3-1 Flames victory.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:47 AM

Bettors' best friend: Today's wagering tips

Friday, January 15

Lines off the board

New Orleans Hornets at Detroit Pistons – Ben Gordon (groin) and Tayshaun Prince (knee) missed last game and both are questionable.

Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers – Brandon Roy (hamstring) left last game and is doubtful. Vince Carter (shoulder) missed last three games and is questionable.

Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers – Pau Gasol (hamstring) missed last six games and is probable. Kobe Bryant (back spasms) briefly left last game and is probable. Chris Kaman (back) missed last game and is doubtful.

Brown at Yale – Starters Adrian Williams (shoulder) and Matt Mullery (ankle) are both questionable for Brown.

Lines to keep an eye on

Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks - Opening total of 218 dropped to 217 quickly after its release.

Who’s hot

San Antonio Spurs – Won eight of last 10 and are 7-3 ATS during that span.

Northern Colorado Bears – Won six straight and are 6-1 ATS in last seven.

Baron Davis – Averaging 19.5 ppg, 9.7 apg and 2.3 spg over last six.

Who’s not

Kobe Bryant – Averaging 20.0 ppg over last seven with 19 turnovers.

North Dakota State Bison – Lost six of last seven.

Detroit Pistons – Lost nine of last 10 and gone 2-8 ATS in that stretch.

Toronto Maple Leafs – Dropped four straight and eight of last 10 games.

Key stat

San Antonio is 10-1 all-time against the Bobcats (8-2-1 ATS) and are undefeated (6-0 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) in Charlotte. The Spurs are 2-point favorites in North Carolina on Friday.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Brandon Roy is doubtful to play versus the Magic because of a hamstring injury. He left Wednesday’s game against the Bucks in the fourth quarter and did not return. Roy has missed one game all season and the Blazers defeated the Spurs on the road as 12-point underdogs. Andre Miller and Steve Blake will see extended minutes if Roy is out.

Game of the Day

Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers

Notable Quotable

"Honestly, I see us sitting here next week having this press conference again. If that doesn't happen, to me, it will be a shock."

-- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre during Wednesday’s press conference causing some to conclude he is guaranteeing a win versus the Cowboys Sunday.

Tips and notes

- Flames right-winger Jarome Iginla has failed to score a single point in five straight games. He faces Nashville on Friday and has three goals and three assists in the three matchups versus the Predators this season.

- Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin will return to action for the first time in two months on Friday. Martin averaged 30.6 ppg during the first five games of the season but has not played since due to a wrist injury. Sacramento went 1-4 straight up and 2-3 ATS with Martin in the lineup.

- The Lakers will welcome back Pau Gasol on Friday after he missed the last six games with a hamstring injury. L.A. struggled without its starting center, going 3-3 SU and ATS in Gasol’s absence. All three of the Lakers defeats came on the road by double digits and the team was outrebounded in each contest. Gasol is averaging 16.8 ppg and 11.5 rpg.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:48 AM

Six-pack for Friday

-- Carlos Beltran got his knee operated on Wednesday, is expected to be out 12 weeks; the season starts in 11 weeks. Mets are not happy, but who would trust their crackerjack medical staff?

-- Tennessee Vols still don't have a football coach; David Cutcliffe was rumored to be close to signing, but he wants to bring his whole staff from Duke, and that doesn't seem like a popular idea.

-- South Florida made good hire signing Skip Holtz as its new coach.

-- Marlins finally spent some cash, giving Josh Johnson $39M for four years. With their new stadium under construction, Jeffrey Lurie is going to have to open the pocketbook now and then. This is a good start.

-- Diamondbacks signed Adam Laroche to a one-year deal, after Laroche had turned down $17M for two seasons from the Giants.

-- You're telling me no major league team could use Miguel Tejada?

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Thursday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind.........

Friday's List of 13: Our college basketball List of 13.......
Any statistics in this piece are before Thursday's games, unless it says so otherwise........most stats are courtesy of kenpom.

13) When was last time North Carolina was ranked 47th in country? They are ranked 219th in turnover percentage, so until their guards take care of the ball better, Tar Heels will still struggle, especially on the road.

12) Field goal percentage defense is an important stat; which team makes it hardest on their opponents to make a hoop? Kansas/Florida State/Wake Forest are the three best teams in that telling category.

11) Samford and Northwestern, two Princeton-style offense, get highest percentage of their scoring on 3-point shots; Eastern Illinois gets least.

10) Wyoming, Ball State and Cal-Northridge are teams that get the highest percentage of their points on foul shots.

9) West Virginia's Joe Mazzulla is my favorite player in country this year; he is the closest thing Mountaineers have to a point guard, but he plays with basically one arm after injuring his shoulder badly last year. Tough as nails, Mazzulla is kind of kid that makes college basketball so much fun.

8) VMI has average of 87.9 possessions per game, most in country, 7.2 more than any other team in the country- 5-9 Keydets play fast, but not well; they lost their last six games against Division I opponents.

7) Double digit home favorites are 47-55 vs pointspread in league games.

6) The four most experienced teams in country are Troy-Boise St-Notre Dame and Portland; the most inexperienced teams are Presbyterian, Saint Louis and Arkansas State.

5) Tallest teams in country are Florida State-LaSalle-No Carolina-Duke. Shortest teams in country are Grambling-Pan American and Army, which is 11-5 and one of the better teams in the Patriot League.

4) Wisconsin-Mississippi State-Penn State are three best rebounding clubs on defensive end; West Virginia-San Diego State-Louisville are best on the offensive boards.

3) It is January 15, and Oregon State is only Pac-10 team ranked beneath UCLA (122nd) in national rankings. Hard to believe.

2) Siena (59th) is only team in MAAC ranked higher than 108th; Iona is vastly improved; their 2nd-highest rated team (108th) in the league.

1) Top three leagues: ACC-Big 12-Big East, but I have to laugh because on every Big East telecast, announcers say how there are no easy games in the Big East. Have any of these nitwits seen DePaul play this year?

From: Armadillo
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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:49 AM

NBA
Write-up

Friday, January 15

Hot Teams
-- Spurs won nine of last eleven games. Bobcats won five of their last six games.
-- Hawks won four of their last five games.
-- Grizzlies won six of their last eight games.
-- Hornets won seven of their last eight games.
-- Knicks are 12-7 in their last nineteen games.
-- Bulls won three in row, covered nine of last ten games.
-- Thunder won eight of last eleven games.
-- Clippers covered seven of their last eight games. Lakers won five of last six games at Staples, losing only to Clippers Jan 8.

Cold Teams
-- 76ers lost five of their last six home games. Kings lost six of their last seven games overall.
-- Suns lost eight of their last nine road games.
-- Minnesota lost last eight games, covered last two.
-- Pistons lost 13 of their last 14 games.
-- Raptors lost last two games, allowing 109.5 ppg.
-- Pacers lost their last nine road games (4-5 vs spread). Nets lost their last six games (3-3 vs spread).
-- Washington lost eight of its last ten games.
-- Rockets lost four of their last six games. Miami lost six of last nine.
-- Mavericks split last 10 games, covered one of last five.
-- Warriors lost five of last seven games, but covered eight of last ten. Bucks lost last three games, by 18-4-12 points.
-- Magic lost five of their last seven games. Portland is 2-3 in last five.

Totals
-- Three of last four San Antonio road games stayed under.
-- Three of last four Philly home games stayed under total.
-- Three of last four Atlanta games stayed under the total; nine of Suns' last eleven games went over.
-- Eight of last ten Memphis games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Detroit games went over the total.
-- Last four New York games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Indiana games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Chicago home games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Houston games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Orlando road games; Portland's last five games all went over
-- Five of last six Clipper games at Staples stayed under total.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:49 AM

NBA

Friday, January 15

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Sacramento is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Sacramento is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games
Philadelphia is 2-15 ATS in its last 17 games at home

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. CHARLOTTE
San Antonio is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
San Antonio is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio

7:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. ATLANTA
Phoenix is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Atlanta
Phoenix is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Atlanta is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. NEW JERSEY
Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
New Jersey is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana

8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. MEMPHIS
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Memphis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota

8:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. DETROIT
New Orleans is 5-20 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans's last 9 games on the road
Detroit is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. NEW YORK
Toronto is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing New York
Toronto is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against New York
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. CHICAGO
Washington is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Washington is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Chicago is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington

8:30 PM
MIAMI vs. HOUSTON
Miami is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami

8:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. DALLAS
Oklahoma City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Dallas is 16-2 SU in its last 18 games when playing Oklahoma City

10:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. LA LAKERS
LA Clippers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games
LA Clippers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home

10:30 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. GOLDEN STATE
Milwaukee is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Milwaukee is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Golden State
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Golden State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home

10:30 PM
ORLANDO vs. PORTLAND
Orlando is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Orlando is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Portland is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Portland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Orlando

7:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. INDIANA
New Orleans is 7-1-1 SU in its last 9 games
New Orleans is 5-19-1 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 12 games when playing at home against New Orleans

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:50 AM

NBA

Friday, January 15

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: Today's best NBA bets
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Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers (N/A)

Things are starting to get ugly in the Magic Kingdom.

After Orlando lost to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night, the team’s fifth loss in the past seven games, the finger pointing began. Perhaps the biggest wagging sausage is directed at small forward Rashard Lewis.

Lewis has been almost invisible in recent games. He scored just six points on 3-of-9 shooting against the Nuggets, including going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. Over the last seven contests, Lewis is averaging under 10 points per game – scoring in single figures five times.

“Every night in order for me to have a good game I feel like I have to make every shot, every last one of them because I’m not getting very many of them,” Lewis told reporters. “Not to blame it on me not getting shots because we’ve still got to play defense, but we’re just not getting in a good offensive rhythm as a team.”

Lewis isn’t solely to blame for the team’s troubles. In the loss to Denver, the Magic turned the ball over 19 times and gave up constant easy buckets to the Nuggets, who finished shooting nearly 56 percent from the field.

Orlando is 12-9 on the road this season and has covered in 10 of those 21 contests.

Pick: Trail Blazers

Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (N/A)

No one can question Kobe Bryant’s heart after the scoring dynamo battled a broken finger and back spasms in recent games.

Bryant, who played despite an aching back, knocked down a game-winning shot for the Lakers in a 100-95 win over the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday. He took just one shot and played only 11 minutes in the first half but played the entire second half, scoring 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting.

“I asked Kobe before the game, ‘Are you all right?’ He said, ‘No, I might not make it.’ So everybody said, ‘We’ve got to step it up.’,” Ron Artest told the Orange County Register.

“In the second half, I said, ‘Are you OK?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m good now.’ But Dallas didn’t know that, so they played him 1-on-1 - and he hit that big shot.”

Bryant’s efforts have helped carry the Lakers during the absence of star forward Pau Gasol, who is questionable for Friday. His injury has also given Los Angeles a bit of value towards the line – which is something Lakers bettors aren’t used to.

Bettors should expect some Kobe updates before tipoff Friday, but can be sure that No. 24 will put his body on the line again.

Pick: Lakers

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:51 AM

NBA

Friday, January 15

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Game of the day: Magic at Trail Blazers
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Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers (No current pointspread)

No Magic road

Last year the Orlando Magic were the second best road team in the NBA, finishing with a 27-14 straight up mark. No team had a better pointspread mark away from home.

The trend continued right though the playoffs. Despite two losses at the Staples Center in the NBA Finals, Orlando finished with six SU road wins in the postseason, tied with LA for most in the league.

The road hasn’t been as kind to the Magic in 2010. Orlando comes into its matchup against the Blazers having lost seven of its last nine road games following an early season string of eight straight road wins. Orlando was blown out in the second half at Denver on Wednesday night after getting outscored by 21 points in the second half.

Chemistry concerns

The Magic have a very different look right now compared to their Finals team from last June. Orlando GM Otis Smith spent the offseason wheeling and dealing, and the new faces aren’t gelling together just yet.

Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie all moved. Newcomers Vince Carter, Jason Williams, Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass are still figuring out their places in Stan Van Gundy’s rotation, a situation made worse by a series of injuries.

“It’s a totally different team,” All-Star center Dwight Howard told reporters. “You have a whole different starting lineup. There are three guys that were here last year in the starting lineup…. It just can’t happen overnight.”

The core group of Howard, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson have only played together in 10 of Orlando’s first 39 games. Carter isn’t likely to play Friday night because of lingering effects of a shoulder injury he suffered last week.

If Carter does suit up, the recent talk out of Orlando indicates that he’ll be coming off the bench for the first time in his long career.

Injury-riddled nightmare

The Magic have nothing to complain about when it comes to injuries if we compare them with the Blazers. No team in the NBA has suffered more injuries than Portland, and they just won’t stop.

The Blazers have been playing without Nicholas Batum, Travis Outlaw, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla; a quartet that averaged more than 90 minutes per game for the team last year. Juwan Howard, who’s on the wrong side of 35, has been forced into the starting center role.

Portland just got Rudy Fernandez back after a month long absence in a 12 point win and cover against the Bucks on Wednesday. But in that same game, LaMarcus Aldridge rolled his ankle and is listed as probable for Friday night.

To make matters even worse for the Blazers, their All Star and leading scorer Brandon Roy underwent an MRI on Thursday after injuring his hamstring on Wednesday. The MRI revealed no structural damage, but Roy is still listed as doubtful, not expected to suit up against Orlando.

Without Roy in the lineup in the fourth quarter, Milwaukee cut a 30-point lead down to the 12-point final margin of victory.

Not so Rosey Garden

Portland is coming off its best shooting night of the season, hitting better than 60 percent from the floor against the Bucks on Wednesday. But those types of performances have been the exception, not the rule in 2010.

With one more loss at the Rose Garden the Blazers will eclipse their loss total at home from last year before the halfway point of the new campaign.

Portland has also struggled to beat the Magic in any venue. Orlando has won three straight at the Rose Garden, joining the Cavs as the only opposing team to own a three-game winning streak in Portland.

The Magic beat the Blazers 92-83 in Orlando last month, their sixth victory in the last seven meetings between these two squads.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:52 AM

NBA

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Helpside defense: NBA betting news and notes
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Bang for your Buck

At least Michael Redd knows what his rehab will be like.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ shooting guard tore his ACL and MCL in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It is the second ACL tear in the last year for Redd, whose career is now in jeopardy.

"I'm shaken. You never expect it to happen and it happened again," he told reporters Monday. "(It) has been a very hard day. But I've had incredible encouragement from my teammates. I'll get through it."

So will the Bucks, if past performances mean anything. Redd has sat out 14 games this season, and Milwaukee is 9-5 straight up and 11-3 against the spread without him.

Redd is considered as a sharpshooter, but he was shooting just 35 percent overall and 30 percent from 3-point range. Both figures are worst among Bucks guards.

Blaze of glory

When Hedo Turkoglu left the Portland Trail Blazers standing at the free agent altar, they made an offer to Paul Millsap before finally settling on Andre Miller, who has had trouble settling in.

Miller needs the ball in his hands, likes to push the pace, throws lob passes and doesn't shoot 3-pointers. Blazers coach Nate McMillan likes Brandon Roy to control the ball, prefers a halfcourt offense, tries to limit turnovers and spaces the floor with 3-point shooters.

Things came to a head last week, when Miller and McMillan had a 30-minute argument in practice. However, after a tentative two months, Miller is now playing his best basketball of the season.

In five games in January, Miller is averaging 18.4 points and 8.2 assists. In the first 34 games, he averaged 11.1 points and 4.4 assists.

"At a certain point, you are going to have to go out there and do what you do and not worry about the repercussions about it," Miller told the Oregonian.

The shorthanded Blazers need Miller to continue his strong play. After hosting Orlando on Friday, Portland heads out for four games on the road, where it is 10-8 ATS.

Thunder road

The Oklahoma City Thunder are making a serious push for a playoff berth with their play on the road.

The Thunder are 10-8 straight up away from home. In the Western Conference, only Dallas (13-6) and the Los Angeles Lakers (8-6) are better. Against the spread, Oklahoma City is 12-6 in road games.

Although the Thunder are the youngest team in the league, their numbers as a group are almost identical at home and on the road. That is improbable for a roster with nine players with less than three years of experience and a coach in his first full season.

Beginning with Friday's game at Dallas, Oklahoma City plays five of its next six games on the road.

On the schedule

Friday, Jan. 15, Indiana at New Jersey

The Pacers have lost nine consecutive road games (5-4 ATS) but did win in New Jersey early in the season. Is this a winnable game for the woeful Nets? They have been favored at home just twice this season and head out on a four-game western swing following this contest.

Saturday, Jan. 16, Cleveland at Los Angeles Clippers

It has taken a while, but Cleveland's team defense is approaching last season's standard despite the hiccup in Golden State earlier this week. Meanwhile, the Clippers have played to the under (22-14) more than any team except the Nets.

Monday, Jan. 18, Phoenix at Memphis

The Grizzlies have played to the over in eight of their last 10 games and can give a national TV audience a look at their under-the-radar firepower. The Suns aren't exactly scoring slouches, either. The teams have averaged 234 points in their first two meetings.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:53 AM

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Friday, January 15

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BROWN (6 - 11) at YALE (6 - 11) - 1/15/2010, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BROWN is 3-1 against the spread versus YALE over the last 3 seasons
YALE is 3-1 straight up against BROWN over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LOYOLA-IL (11 - 5) at IL-CHICAGO (5 - 11) - 1/15/2010, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
IL-CHICAGO is 94-64 ATS (+23.6 Units) as a favorite since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 85-55 ATS (+24.5 Units) in all home games since 1997.
IL-CHICAGO is 85-55 ATS (+24.5 Units) in home lined games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
IL-CHICAGO is 5-0 against the spread versus LOYOLA-IL over the last 3 seasons
IL-CHICAGO is 5-0 straight up against LOYOLA-IL over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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ST PETERS (8 - 8) at RIDER (10 - 8) - 1/15/2010, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ST PETERS is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points over the last 3 seasons.
ST PETERS is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
ST PETERS is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road lined games over the last 3 seasons.
ST PETERS is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
ST PETERS is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
RIDER is 48-71 ATS (-30.1 Units) as a favorite since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
RIDER is 3-2 against the spread versus ST PETERS over the last 3 seasons
RIDER is 4-1 straight up against ST PETERS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MARIST (1 - 15) at LOYOLA-MD (8 - 8) - 1/15/2010, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOYOLA-MD is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in home games after a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games off a loss against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons.
LOYOLA-MD is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record after 15 or more games since 1997.
LOYOLA-MD is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in home games versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=64 points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOYOLA-MD is 3-1 against the spread versus MARIST over the last 3 seasons
LOYOLA-MD is 3-1 straight up against MARIST over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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N ARIZONA (7 - 9) at E WASHINGTON (6 - 11) - 1/15/2010, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N ARIZONA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
E WASHINGTON is 2-2 against the spread versus N ARIZONA over the last 3 seasons
N ARIZONA is 3-1 straight up against E WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MONTANA (12 - 6) at SACRAMENTO ST (7 - 10) - 1/15/2010, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MONTANA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games on Friday nights since 1997.
SACRAMENTO ST is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
SACRAMENTO ST is 13-28 ATS (-17.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
SACRAMENTO ST is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTANA is 2-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO ST over the last 3 seasons
MONTANA is 4-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO ST over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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N COLORADO (15 - 3) at PORTLAND ST (7 - 9) - 1/15/2010, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
N COLORADO is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
N COLORADO is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND ST is 2-2 against the spread versus N COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND ST is 4-0 straight up against N COLORADO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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S DAKOTA ST (9 - 8) at N DAKOTA ST (5 - 10) - 1/15/2010, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
N DAKOTA ST is 4-0 straight up against S DAKOTA ST over the last 3 seasons

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:54 AM

NCAAB
Write-up

Friday, January 15

Information on Friday's college basketball games........

Yale won three of last four games against Brown; Bears lost three of last four visits here, losing by 14-3-2 points; underdog covered five of last six series games played here. Bulldogs lost five of last six games against D-I opponents. Yale is 5-2 vs teams ranked #250 or lower. Brown is 1-8 in last nine games vs D-I opponents- they're ranked #274.

Ill-Chicago won its last five games against Loyola, winning last three in this gym by 6-10-14 points. Flames are 1-5 in Horizon, beating Detroit by 4 for their only win- this is first league game they;ve been favored in. Loyola lost last three games by 17-5-4 points, scoring 55.3 ppg. Home favorites are 8-15 against the spread this season.

Rider won six of last seven games vs St Peter's, but teams split last six in Broncs' Zoo. Rider is 3-3 in MAAC, 1-1 at home, beating awful Marist by 4, losing by 20 to Iona. Peacocks are also 3-3 after upsetting Niagara in double OT last game; they lost last two road games, by 11-23 points. MAAC home favorites are 6-14 vs spread in league games.

Home teams won 10 of last 12 Marist-Loyola games; Red Foxes lost last four visits here by 3-8-12-10 points. Marist is putrid, losing 13 of its 14 games; they're 2-1 as MAAC road dog, losing away games by 9-4 and 12 points- they're 0-3 vs spread since their only win, losing by 12-15-22. Loyola is 14-point favorite despite losing five of six league games.

Northern Arizona is 7-2 in last nine games vs Eastern Washington, 1-2 in last three visits here; home teams won five of last six in series. Eastern is 2-2 in Big Sky, with its two wins by total of six points- underdog is 3-0 vs spread in their last three games. Lumberjacks are 1-4 in Big Sky, 0-2 on road, losing by 17 at Montana, 12 at Montana State.

Portland State is 4-0 vs Northern Colorado in Big Sky games, winning in this gym by 2-3 points; Vikings are 2-2 in Big Sky, 2-0 at home, taking home wins by 23 vs E. Washington, 28 over Sacramento St. Bears won last six games, are 4-1 in Big Sky, winning last four league games (3-1 vs spread). Northern is 4-1 vs spread as an underdog this year.

Montana won last six games vs Sacramento State, winning five of last six games played here, taking last three by 5-33-17 points. Griz is 3-3 in Big Sky, 3-1 at home with wins by 17-13-32 points, losing to N. Colorado. Hornets are 1-3 in Big Sky, losing its road games at E. Washington by 4 and Portland State by 28. Sky favorites are 13-6 against the spread.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:54 AM

NCAAB

Friday, January 15

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
BROWN vs. YALE
Brown is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Yale
Brown is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Yale
Yale is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Brown
Yale is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Brown

7:00 PM
MARIST vs. LOYOLA
Marist is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Loyola
Marist is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Loyola
Loyola is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
Loyola is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Marist

7:00 PM
SAINT PETER'S vs. RIDER
Saint Peter's is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Rider
Saint Peter's is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Rider
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rider's last 5 games
Rider is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home

8:05 PM
NORTHERN ARIZONA vs. EASTERN WASHINGTON
Northern Arizona is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Eastern Washingto
Northern Arizona is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Eastern Washingto
Eastern Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Eastern Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
LOYOLA OF CHICAGO vs. ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
Loyola of Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Loyola of Chicago is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Illinois-Chicago
Illinois-Chicago is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Illinois-Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:05 PM
MONTANA vs. SACRAMENTO STATE
Montana is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Sacramento State
Montana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento State
Sacramento State is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Montana
Sacramento State is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games

10:05 PM
NORTHERN COLORADO vs. PORTLAND STATE
Northern Colorado is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Northern Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Portland State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Northern Colorado
Portland State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:55 AM

NHL
Write-up

Friday, January 15

Hot Teams
-- Washington won four of its last five games.
-- Predators won six of their last eight games.

Cold Teams
-- Maple Leafs lost four of their last five games.
-- Flames lost four of their last five games.

Totals
-- Under is 10-3 in last thirteen Toronto games; over is 6-1-1 in last eight Washington games. .
-- Under is 8-0-2 in last ten Calgary games.

Playing second of back-to-back nights
-- Maple Leafs are 4-6 if they played the night before.

Series Records
-- Maple Leafs won four of last five games against Washington.
-- Flames won six of last seven games against Nashville.

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:55 AM

NHL

Friday, January 15

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. WASHINGTON
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Washington is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 10 games when playing Toronto

9:00 PM
NASHVILLE vs. CALGARY
Nashville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Nashville's last 13 games when playing on the road against Calgary
Calgary is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary's last 5 games at home

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**pm530** · 01-15-2010, 05:55 AM

NHL

Friday, January 15

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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
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Toronto Maple Leafs at Washington Capitals (-240, 6.5)

The Capitals are living up to their billing as the NHL’s most explosive offense.

Washington, which ranks tops in the league with 3.6 goals a game, has opened the scoring flood gates in recent games. The Capitals have won four of their last five contests, totaling 26 goals in that span, and playing over the total for the fourth straight game.

The team netted four regulation goals in a 5-4 shootout win over the Florida Panthers Wednesday after a slow start to the game. Washington outshot Florida 13-9 in the opening frame but went down 2-0 after the first period. After going down 4-1 midway through the second, the Capitals scored three unanswered goals to force the extra time.

“Obviously, we have to figure out what we're doing at the start of games,” Matt Bradley told the Washington Post. “Bouncing back shows a lot of character, but we have to figure out what's going on.”

Against the Maple Leafs, Washington hasn’t played its best hockey. The Capitals have gone 1-2 against Toronto but have played over the total in two of the three meetings this season.

Pick: Over

Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames (-145, 5.5)

The Music City Monsters are making sweet music during their Western Canada road trip.

The Predators have won the first two games on this stretch over the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, setting their sights on the Calgary Flames Friday night. This recent run has improved Nashville to 14-7-1-1 away from Nashville Arena.

The team was exhausted following their win over Edmonton Tuesday after getting into the hotel around 2 a.m. in the morning. The Preds have had a couple days off to relax and catch their breath before Friday’s contests.

Even on fumes, Nashville still netted five goals against the Oilers and got a solid work from goaltender Pekka Rinne, who made 41 saves in the win – his fourth victory in his last five appearances.

"It's tough for everybody, travelling and playing, but it's the same for every team, so you can't really use that as an excuse," Rinne told reporters.

"But for me personally, I felt fresh, I didn't play (Monday) night and that was kind of the plan to play Dan Ellis in Vancouver and me here.

"That obviously worked well for us."

Pick: Predators

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Announcement

Friday Trends and Indexes 1/15 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

Friday Trends and Indexes 1/15 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

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